MAR20321 Certificate II in Maritime Operations (Coxswain Grade 1 Near Coastal)
Are you ready to pursue a career at sea?
Embark on your maritime journey with our highly sought after Qualification in maritime operations. Gain expertise in handling vessels up to 12 metres in length, mastering seamanship skills, passage planning, and adherence to safety regulations.
Our immersive program provides hands-on learning experiences, covering essential tasks such as basic servicing and maintenance, handling of inboard and outboard motors, understanding main propulsion and auxiliary systems, acquiring basic survival skills, fire prevention techniques, and workplace safety protocols.
This course is low fee* for residents of Western Australia and temporary residents holding certain visa types. An annual fee cap of $400 for those aged 15-24 or concession holders or $1,200 for everyone else, applies to this course. Some eligibility conditions apply for the low fee training and other fees may apply for some courses. Please refer to the FAQs for more information.
*Please note that eligibility requirements apply to some of the low fee training.
^ You will pay half price for the course fees on the Lower fees, local skills courses, however other fees may apply such as for resources that are specifically needed for your training.
Overview
Campus Broome
When Available all year
Study Mode On Campus
The Certificate II in Maritime Operations (Coxswain Grade 1 Near Coastal) will allow you to command and operate:
- Engines of a vessel less than 12 metres long with unlimited outboard engine propulsion, or inboard engines less than 500 kilowatts:
- In inshore waters (refer to National Standard for Commercial Vessels Part B—General requirements(opens in a new tab) ) or designated waters (under state or territory waterway management legislation).
- As a tender or auxiliary vessel within 3 nautical miles of a parent vessel within the exclusive economic zone.
- Act as a chief mate or deck watchkeeper on a vessel less than 24m long in inshore waters.
This Qualification serves as a prerequisite for obtaining an AMSA certificate of competency as a Coxswain Grade 1 Near Coastal, in line with the standards defined in the National Standard for Commercial Vessels (NSCV) Part D.
For more details on this exciting opportunity, visit the AMSA website.
Throughout this course, you will gain skills in:
- Navigating a vessel
- Applying basic maintenance and engineering knowledge
- Operating a marine radio
- Applying safety procedures at sea
- Applying basic maritime knowledge
- Demonstrating nautical knowledge
This course is suited to you if:
- You are already employed or are required to hold this certificate to facilitate employment and are expected to satisfy AMSA’s requirements for sea time
- You are industry provider wishing to upskill staff in maritime operations
- Your are employed in tourism, aquaculture, port operations, or ranger groups for Indigenous communities
- You are wishing to become employed into the maritime industry or attain their coxswain ticket to enhance your prospects for employment or to advance you career
North Regional TAFE offers a comprehensive training program over a period of 19 days across our campuses in Karratha, Pundulmurra, Derby, Broome, and Kununurra.
This program prepares students for certification as a Coxswain Grade 1 as defined by AMSA (Australian Maritime Safety Authority).
Overview
Students will be required to complete and document sea service as per AMSA requirements to acquire their final certification. The program consists of 13 core units of competency delivered in 5 blocks:
- Coxswain Navigation
- Coxswain Vessel Operations & Environment
- Coxswain Engineering
- Elements of Shipboard Safety
- Marine Radio (required for AMSA Certification)
- First Aid (delivered by NR TAFE First Aid lecturers or an accredited external provider)
Practical Components
Navigation Practical: Throughout this block, students will learn to use and interpret navigation charts and chart plotting equipment correctly. Practical exercises will take place on either the vessel or in class.
Coxswain Vessel Operations & Environment: This practical session is conducted on NR TAFE vessels on the final day of the block, weather and tides permitting.
Coxswain Engineering: Practical training is held on the last day of this block, requiring access to a vessel and workshop.
Elements of Shipboard Safety:
- Portable Fire Extinguisher Training: Students will extinguish a small fire, typically on day 2 of the block.
- Flare Demonstration: Participants will activate two types of handheld flares, usually completed on day 2 or 3, depending on tides.
- Personal Floatation Device (PFD) & Life Raft Training: Conducted on the final day of the block.
First Aid:
- Learners may present a Statement of Attainment from other providers for credit.
- Alternatively, learners may enrol in AE875 First Aid Skill Set, delivered by an NR TAFE First Aid lecturer, which is credited to the MAR qualification.
Licensing Requirements
To obtain an AMSA Certificate of Competency as a Coxswain Grade 1 NC, the following must be achieved:
- Completion of the MAR20321 Certificate II in Maritime Operations (Coxswain Grade 1 Near Coastal)
- A Marine Radio Operator VHF Certificate of Proficiency or a higher qualification
- Completion of required sea service as per AMSA guidelines
- A successful assessment was conducted by an AMSA-approved assessor using the AMSA Mandated Practical Assessment (AMPA) on a commercial vessel of ≥5.0 m in length.
Broome - On Campus
Term 1
Coxswain Engineering: 4 - 7 March
Coxswain Navigation: 10 - 14 March
Coxswain Vessel Operations & Environmental Practice: 17 - 21 March
Term 2
Coxswain Engineering: 17 - 20 June
Coxswain Vessel Operations & Environmental Practice: 23 - 27 June
Coxswain Navigation: 7 - 11 July
Term 4
Coxswain Vessel Operations & Environmental Practice: 3 - 7 November
Coxswain Navigation: 10 - 14 November
Coxswain Engineering: 17 - 20 November
Shipboard Safety Skill Set
24 - 26 February
24 - 26 March
28 - 30 April
9 - 11 June
30 June - 2 July
18 - 20 August
22 - 24 September
27 - 29 October
8 - 10 December
Marine Radio
27 - 28 February
27 - 28 March
1 - 2 May
12 - 13 June
3 - 4 July
21 - 22 August
25 - 26 September
30 - 31 October
Karratha - On campus
Coxswain Engineering: 27 - 31 October
Coxswain Navigation: 28 July - 1 August
Vessel Operations & Environmental Practice: 19 - 23 May
Shipboard Safety Skill Set
10 - 12 March
Marine Radio
13 - 14 March
Pundulmurra - On campus
Coxswain Engineering: 3 - 7 November
Coxswain Navigation: 4 - 8 August
Vessel Operations & Environmental Practice: 26 - 30 May
Shipboard Safety Skill Set
17 - 19 March
Marine Radio
20 - 21 March
Select your preferred campus and apply
Available all year, 2025
Details
Course fees
(Tuition fee* $563.76 + Resource fee $251.27 )
(Tuition fee* $167.04 + Resource fee $251.27 )
Units and fees
Core
| National ID Unit title | General fee | Concession | Resource fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| HLTAID011 Provide First Aid | $29.16 | $8.64 | $23.70 |
| MARB027 Perform basic servicing and maintenance of main propulsion unit and auxiliary systems | $24.30 | $7.20 | $0.00 |
| MARC037 Operate inboard and outboard motors | $32.40 | $9.60 | $9.65 |
| MARC038 Operate main propulsion unit and auxiliary systems | $32.40 | $9.60 | $12.10 |
| MARF027 Apply basic survival skills in the event of vessel abandonment | $40.50 | $12.00 | $20.70 |
| MARF028 Follow procedures to minimise and fight fires on board a vessel | $40.50 | $12.00 | $20.70 |
| MARF029 Meet work health and safety requirements | $19.44 | $5.76 | $9.65 |
| MARF030 Survive at sea using survival craft | $24.30 | $7.20 | $12.10 |
| MARH013 Plan and navigate a passage for a vessel up to 12 metres | $53.46 | $15.84 | $26.60 |
| MARI003 Comply with regulations to ensure safe operation of a vessel up to 12 metres | $56.70 | $16.80 | $16.60 |
| MARJ006 Follow environmental work practices | $40.50 | $12.00 | $12.10 |
| MARK007 Handle a vessel up to 12 metres | $97.20 | $28.80 | $50.10 |
| MARN008 Apply seamanship skills aboard a vessel up to 12 metres | $72.90 | $21.60 | $37.27 |
Our estimated fees are based on:
- Full time study in 2024.
- All units required to gain this qualification. If you're a student that has successfully completed a lower-level qualification that is a prerequisite for this course, you'll only pay for the units that you need to enrol in to complete this course.
- For more information regarding eligibility and fees, please visit the DTWD website.
These fees are estimates only and depend on your eligibility for government funding, concession rates, the units you have already completed or seek to be recognised under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Additional resource, material and/or equipment costs may apply. Visit our Fees and Charges page for more information, including on consumer rights.